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Friday, August 24, 2007

I HAVE to share these. I've received several letters like these, but these were the only two I could find without spending a month going through my saved mail. I cried when I read them. I bawled! I really don't want to sound like I'm tooting my own horn, but I am so happy that I've been able to do this. To brighten someone's day like this.

Dawn, I'll keep this short as I know you are busy.

Not only do I want to say "Thanks" for making ME laugh - but more importantly - THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY SISTER LAUGH !!!

She has been going through one of those marriage ending episodes (don't worry, I'll spare you the details) but for the last month - everytime I talk to her she has been crying. UNTIL TODAY - someone forwarded a copy of your auction and blog today and she forwarded it to me. Before she did, she called me LAUGHING and said I had to read this.

I can't thank you enough for bringing a little laughter into my sister's life today.

Very grateful,XXXXX

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

normally, i'd never email but tonight it's a must. i feel compelled to share with you. i have 5 kids 12, 10, 8, 6, 4....breastfeeding seemed to have spaced them that way......ha.....that and my hubby's deployments.....he's a Marine and in iraq since jan. so, tonight i was absolutely ready to LOSE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i was in tears after the kids went to bed.......really bad evening......and sitting here wondering what am i doing??? what kind of mother am i and how am i raising my children???? and no, i don't beat them senseless or anything......just let them get their way waaaayyyyy too much i guess. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! somehow typing that makes me feel better.......i had just emailed my husband to tell them what an evening it's been, feeling kinda guilty for having to send that from the homefront. anyway, i was going to delete the fwd (your ebay thing) that i got from a friend because i just don't have time for it........and popped it open anyhow. even though i am totally wiped out and it's a school night it was too good so i had to check out your blog......

now you have me sitting at my computer in a full on cry.......all i have to say is that God led me to your crazy blog.....crazy and so beautiful. hooray for another mom out there with the greatest perspective on things. you really gave me my jolt that i needed to put my boots back on and get back to the joy and humor that i seemed to have misplaced, along with my purse in the past few hours. thanks. your life is cherished and appreciated. you're really great. like i said, i never read these things but i'm so thankful i did tonight. i know that God answered my prayer through you and my smile in my heart is back. thanks for getting me through a really rough night. God bless~ XXXXDoesn't it make you cry?

112 comments:

Sometimes God uses the unexpected to bless others. Sure seems like you are bringing joy to many... I too had a crazy rainy week and your post was a blessing! Thanks for making mothering seem very funny in the midst of annoyance!

Dawn,these 2 women are right! You are a blessing to those of us SAHM s who need a little extra boost. I am thrilled to have found your blog as well, and I even submitted you to the Oprah show in hopes of finding you the "help" you want to make this "instant interent sucess" a bigger reality!I read you daily, and thank you for your time to share your life w/ me.Fondly,SAHM in Colorado

Hello there! I happened upon your ebay auction this morning which in turn led me here to your blog. You are amazing! These two emails do make you want to cry. I only have two kids, 5 and 2, and sometimes I feel like pulling my hair out! Kudos to you :o) I grew up in a house as one of six kids and I'm not sure how my mother did it! For you and your family, I hope something comes of all of this!

Humor can touch the soul with the power to heal. Your experiences are real and you have the insight to share them with humor. Your delightful perspective on life with a "zillion little ones" is appreciated!

I have a BIG issue.... Yesterday I went to the grocery store to pickup some chop meat and to my surprise, or not, every package had a little hole in the wrapper. It looked as though possibly a child(?) had a field day stabbing the ground beef. Perhaps your Pokemon auction had something to do with that? I'm not a fan of frozen meet.....

Normally I am not at home watching TV during the day, while I have no children and someday hope to have at least 3 (though until I read about your adventures I wanted 6)...I thought I would let you know that there is a contest for Oxygen TV where if you have a funny idea you can send it in and win $75,000...sounds to me like you would be a shoe in...so I am including the link, have subscribed to your blog and hope to someday be getting advice from you!

how wonderful! now, it took me 3 times as long to read as it should have, because I have *whispering* a toddler !!!! *world comes to stop* and he kept interrupting me... I mean, really, does he have to ask me for a sippy of chocolate milk 3 times? ... yes he does, because I kept forgetting what I was doing. LOLanyway, I love your blog. your pictures are cracking me up.

How awesome are these letters? Can you believe you're writing effects people in such powerful and empowering ways?? Wow! What I'm learning through this whirlwind is that we moms need to stick together and be more honest with each other.

Add me to the list of moms that have peed their pants reading your stuff. LOL And I so totally relate to the grocery shopping experience...and I only have 3. A friend sent me the link to your auction (thanks for the laugh) & we agree...we're thrilled you got that much for the cards & hope you spent it all on yourself! Hugs!

OK, yeah...I am sitting in Starbuck's bawling...thanks so much. *sniff* I have linked you on my blog and sent your auction page to everyone I know. You are seriously talented and so dang funny.

I also forwarded your blog to another mom/writer who may be able to help you navigate the shark infested waters. I hope so...she is a hoot and I think you will love her. Feel free to e-mail when you catch your breath. I have loads of ideas [some have been mentioned] on how you could use your obvious humor to bring in a paycheck from home.

Isn't it wonderful how small or seemingly insignificant things can bring joy to someone's life. Keep sharing! Moms and families need to share these frustrating yet funny moments to keep us sane. Way to go!

Aww! Dawn, you're awesome, amazing, and I'm glad you are able to brighten peoples lives with some joy. Not everyone has the talent to take a hair-ripping situation and see the humor. I'm so glad you do.

Oh, and just to let you know... the blog you did about a month ago, regarding your kids giving you breakfast in bed, and giving Baby nothing but a can of pineapple... priceless. My husband (stay home dad) adores pineapple, so does my 2 year old, and he tends to be too liberal with allowing her to eat it. Scarlette's butt, too, has caught fire day after day because of that! You had me crying with laughter here in my cubicle. Unfortunately, she hates butt cream more than baths, so we tend to go that route. :)

Seriously... you have an amazing talent. Thank you for taking the time out of your very busy life to share a little twinkle with the rest of us. :D

My husband is leaving in two months, and we were suppose to have our last deployment last year, and once again we got the short straw, so now I have to be the single parent again, and I get panic attacks just thinking about it.I too was having a horrible, near panic attack, when I happened upon a link to your eBay auction (pupitan haha) and I laughed so much... I made my hubby sit down and read it.He got that look of "oh man what now and this is soooo long" look on his face, but man was he cracking up. It really made us both forget what is to come.

God really has used you and your story in a mighty way. I keep coming back to your blog to see how the effect is coming along... and it's awesome! You were right - those were too good NOT to publish! Thanks for sharing.

I have to agree. It's definitely touching. I myself am planning on having a big family...with at least 5 children, so I'm looking forward to all the craziness. I'm one of 4 and love being in a semi big family.

Keep up the writing, It helps my days go by a lot more quickly at work. And please please consider signing up for a myspace account, because I'd love to add you to my blog list! :)

I saw a thread on Baby Center about a hilarious read, so I thought that I would read it! Let me just say that was great! Someone left the link to your blog and I thought that I'd visit! Your blog is even better! Someone mentioned this before, but I hope you realize you are talented and a book would seem only natural! I have only one child(another on the way), but my husband is one of eight! My mother-in-law's children are a little more spaced out, but I've see what she goes through and deals with!

I should totally be cleaning my house right now, but instead I've been reading your blog and trying very hard not to pee my pants laughing in the process.

I found your blog through another one that had a link to your auction of Pokemon cards (does that make any sense?). After reading the story that went along with the cards I was so happy to see you had a blog with many other similar stories.

I think your blog might be the best thing I've read in a long, long time. To do what you do and keep such a tremendous sense of humor is great.

I'm going to point your blog to everyone I know. You made me laugh so hard today, you'll never know. :)

Thank you for sharing these. Isn't it cool that you helped some people you don't even know by doing something you would normally do anyway??

I have enjoyed watching your whole "rise to fame" in the cyber-world after getting a link to your e-bay posting in a homeschool e-mail loop. I forwarded it to other moms I know because it was a funny take on real life! We *totally* get it! Sounds like you're a great mom - and I'm sure you will still be long after all they hype dies down. :)

Face it my dear, God has blessed you with a sense of humor that touches people to the very core, especially mothers!I for one am very blessed by it!And I have no doubt that very soon you will be getting calls from major news networks or Oprah wanting to interview you! I hope so, I'd love to see that!You make motherhood real. You are not afraid of sharing the good, the bad, and the really ugly!Keep going my dear in sharing from your heart! I have no doubt God has a blessing just around the corner!Thank you from a fellow mom.

Dawn,My fellow memeber the in the justice league of motherhood. OH the memories you are going to have when they are all teenagers and venturing out on thier "own" lives. You are going to wish for the days. I unfortunatly only had 2 boys who are now 19/16. Life has become dull. But I have purposly had 4-8 kids (always a SAHM so when all else fails a call comes Michelle can you..?) so your experinces are wonderful to relive. Thank you so much for keeping it true. Love ya for it.

As a SAHM of 3, plus I do home daycare, I had myself a GOOD chuckle when someone forwarded your ebay auction. Man I wish I would've thought to do that a few years back, when several packs of hot wheels mysteriously ended up in our bags. Instead I put them on MY shelf, and to this day they are still in their packages.

Great story, and remmber to print off the great response you get, your kids will appreciate it in about 20 years or so.

Isn't it funny how every mom feels like she's the only one going nuts and making mistakes? You'd think we'd realize every mom has her moments. But you just captured it so well in your ebay post and on your blog... thus your sudden fame and popularity! :-)I found you the same way everyone else has, and now I've added you to my bloglines. Thanks, now I have yet another excuse to not get around to cleaning my house!

I love your stories! My Husband forwarded me the link to your Pokemon sale and said it reminded him of me. I take it as a compliment :) We do not have children just yet, but one day when we do I hope that I can have the sense of humor about it that you do, oh and the patience as well. Thanks for sharing!

Dawn, THANK YOU for the wonderful story. I got a link to your auction from my wife, and it eventually led me here. I am loving husband, doting father, and an Army officer out in Iraq, and by the time I get home from this trip, I'll have spent 30 of the previous 39 months in the field or out here in Baghdad. The toughest thing about being gone is being separated from the ones I love. It's always heartbreaking to get an email from my wife detailing what a rough day she's had with my 6-year-old boy, 4-year-old girl, and 12-year-old dog. Her last message, however, was full of smiles (yep, I could see them all the way out here). Even with two kids, she often has her hands full, and your auction made her week. She even asked me if we can open an Ebay site so she post some of her personal stories. (Yeah, I guess I need to introduce her to blogging.) We have good friends of ours (also military) with five kids (ages 10, 8, 7, 4 and 2 IIRC), and we're constantly amazed by the grace and determination that parents with that big a brood constantly display. I hope your husband truly appreciates and cherishes the sacrifices you make to keep up with the children -- or at least not get too far behind. :) Thank you so much for taking the time to brighten up someone else's day. I recognize enough of the writing style to see you were venting on a poor, defenseless keyboard, but the truth is that SO MANY of us parents can relate!! Best of luck with everything you do, and don't worry. As I always remind my wife:

The simple fact that you *worry* about being a good mom is a pretty good indicator that you are!!

OK, so chuck this into the pile of random strangers giving unsolicited advice (moreover, this would be advice from a mom of 1 who is 16 months old and in the words of Jon Stewart, "kicking my ass"). Anyway, if a newspaper has offered you a guest columnist job--take it! Get paid for what you clearly enjoy doing. It may not pay much, but hey, at least it will be enough to hire someone to do your grocery shopping and maybe a couple of loads of laundry. And who knows what that could lead to...

Just one of the many, that were laughing till I cried over the ebay blurb. (redundant, I know) but seriously, an uplifting piece to read, why you're at the end of your tether, and the kids are making you wish you had a bank vault door, in which to slam your head with, because it would inevitably be infinately less painful...You are blessed, to be able to see the humor in it, and to tough so many people. Kudos, and if nothing else, may this put a lasting smile on your heart.Hugs.stephanie from PA

Wow - I just spent $204 at Target with my four kids just yesterday on I don't know what. How does that happen? I don't know what kind of air they pump in to Target, but it makes me want to spend money like I have it.

The funniest part of the whole thing is that I had an insane moment and agreed to take all four of my kids to Target (my 6 year old wanted to bring his twin friends - I had to laugh about the comment of picking up "random" neighbor kids - cause you know that just adds to the fun of it all).

Now mind you the three big ones are all simulataneously barking about something they want and I, about to lose my mind because we have yet to make it over to the Hanes sock section, throw my hands together in the air and make this super loud clap - like loud enough for the whole store to hear. Just as I take a deep breath to calmly begin the 4th lecture of why we're not buying whatever, I see someone I haven't seen in forever - I'm ready to lose my mind and now I've got to be nice and say hello.

The funniest thing yet - I have a big taco grease stain on my right boob from my 2 year old. Oh, isn't it fun and humbling and embarrassing.....

I just loved your BLOG and your E-bay posting! I had it easy with only 2 kids. BUT...I must confess...I was one of 5 unruly girls at the grocery store in my youth. I feel really sorry for my mother now that I read this. I wonder....when I go to Hades, will they let me have a 1 day pass to go to Heaven and apologize to my Mom?

I just read your auction and laughed so hard!! I have six kids and my oldest in 9, we pretty avoid the grocery store as much as possible. As good as they try to be, kids are kids and something is gonna happen! God Bless and thanks for laugh!

Your auction and blog have cheered me up greatly! I've been battling a nasty lice epidemic on my 5 year olds head. I swear I feel like a baboon lately and have been imensely frustrated with my husband and his lax attitude lately. So the auction cracked me up and your blog is cheering me up as well. I too am a SAHM but only to two kiddos, and two that I babysit. I totally understand about the grocery store thing (my three year old likes to hug bread when I'm not looking) and have told all my SAHM friends about you and your blog :) It's nice to know we aren't alone in the world of Domestic Engineer's ...lol ;) Have a wonderful day and I will put your blog in my favorites :)

I wanted to comment on your discipline of seeling the cards rather than allowing your kids to keep them just because they were sneaky enough to get them past you. Your humor and tit-for-tat discipline are what make for GREAT parents of GREAT kids.

As a mom of four (who parents with humor, rightful discipline, and a HUGE chunk of sarcasm aimed mostly at my two teens) I have to say that while I thoroughly enjoyed reading the ebay Pokemon item and have also enjoyed your blog, I am also proud of you (from what I read) of how you seem to go about handling the rearing and nurturing of your little brood of blessings :)

You asked how can you use this to help supplement your income? Look into adsense and some of the other means of advertisements on blogs including affiliate programs. At this time you are getting so many hits that you would probably get a nice small cheque monthly from hits. Check out Danielle beans blog and you will see what I mean. wwwdaniellebean.com

Good luck, I too am trying to make a go of it through my writing. It is a slow process, but you have a big momentum going here that if you capitalize on it you might make a big leap forward.

Those are so sweet!!! You've touched alot of peoples lives by sharing your daily life! Makes those days where it seems like nothing is going right and everybody else has a perfect life not so true. It's wonderful to know of others that go through what I've and other moms have and are going through! I've added your blog to my blogroll if you don't mind :)

I found a link to your ebay auction on a scrapbook forum. I am an advid ebayer so I appreciated the auction. It was the description that had me rolling. It was a picture of our trip to the grocery store too. I have 3 boys 7,4,and 2 and we are looking to adopt two more little ones. Thanks for such a great perspective on mommy hood. It is nice to now we are all in the same boat.

As the 28 year old mother to 3 kids under the age of 6, with more planned (maybe, unless I can convince him vasectomies are the new black), I bow down to you. I read your ebay post today at my mothering board and giggled. And giggled. And then I pulled a grape tootsie roll pop that was stuck to my boob because my 13 month old was nursing and trying to eat her "olly" at the same time.

Dawn - I know you must be exhuasted but KEEP GOING. You have been such a blessing to so many people and I know that God MUST have a special plan for the way you have ministered to so many people in such an unexpected way.

Your stuff just gets betterer and betterer. And yes, I do think you should write a book. ;o) Look at all the sales you'd already have! Print those countries out and give that to a prospective publisher. ;o)

Laughter is a healing balm to the soul...so thanks for all the healing. Lisa

I wasn't going to do this since you seem swamped, but then I remembered that I'm not a nice person, so I'll just add to all the comments you'll feel guilty about not replying to :) I think you're bloody hilarious and if you ever write a book, I'll read it (this doesn't mean much though, I'm a book whore anyway). P.S:You don't have to reply. (Shit, there goes that "nice" side of me again, thought I'd smothered it with Oscar Wilde by now).

Yes, it makes me cry. I LOVED your ebay listing and I posted it on my own blog for everyone to see! I have to say, I'm so thankful to see someone like you getting this kind of publicity. FINALLY - a SAHM getting noticed, getting seen for the real stuff that we go through each day, for the hard work, the frazzles, and the joy. Thank you for sharing with us. And thank you, that when the overwhelming amount of e-mails and comments started to pour in, that you handled it so graciously and very generously allowed us into your life and the life of your family. I've been touched. I've laughed. I've gripped your hand and the hands of all the others that have read this. We've come together. You thought it was simple, and you were surprised when we all connected in this way. You've been a catalyst for something, and I think it's gonna be big, and I can't wait to see it! Many, many hugs from me and my family. Many, many blessings on you and yours.God bless,Amy, my hubby, and our three kidsHouston, Texas

I received the auction link from someone that jointed a homeschool group you attend.... I, like many of your other readers, had a bad day... to be able to LMAO was wonderful. I've even kept the auction into my favs for as long as it'll possibly be there. My husband even chuckled and he normally doesn't find Motherhood Dysfuntion funny! :) I can totally relate... All 3 of my kids (2 boys, 11 & 9 and 1 girl, 7) are all into the Pokemon (and the Yu-gi-oh as well) :( I can also relate to the "Robin Williams on Speed/Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" blog. My eldest is also ADHD (and yes, you made me feel old remembering Mork from Ork! - lol) and I have these issues each day myself. I don't know how you do it all, and manage to keep your wonderful sense of humor each day?! That amazes me... I wish that I would be able to look life the way you do at the end of the day and wake up smiling the next, ready to do it all again.

I wish you and yours nothing but wonderful things... Pursue every opportunity handed to you... You may not know what a podcast is (many of us Moms don't), but if they are seeking you out, take that chance to find out! Don't run and hide... Enjoy every moment of it because as quick as it came, it can go just as.

I hope we continue to hear from you.

Take CareRachael

P.s. When you get some time, you might want to check out www.helium.com (for another opportunity).

An online friend of mine (no real friends anymore after having kids) sent me a link to your Ebay listing. Absolutely hilarious...but true, sadly enough. I only have two, two boys. They are about 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 and I complain! Now I think I will think of you at the grocery store before I start complaining. My boys are pretty bad (when together). Right now it sounds like the older one is climbing up the built in bookcase as I type this so better go soon!! :o) I completely understand how you feel (to a lesser degree of course). I have to say though that you made me feel better...a lot better. I have been wondering if my kids were crazy or half wild animal lately, even questioning my parenting! Now I see I am not alone and that it's normal. Thank you so much for that. And good job selling those cards! I would stay with this type of listing if I were you. Your personality sells things well! Sell some of my hairbows for me, that would help! Take care and thanks again! By the way he wasn't on the bookshelf, but in the fridge instead, eating cheese. I am adding you to my Ebay favorites. My ebay id is for_baby0806 Take care. Sarah Lombardi Eatontown,NJ

I firmly believe that we all are here for a purpose and we may never know how a smile touched someone or a kind word or kind action saved someone from doing something horrible to themselves. You are so blessed that you have touched so many and they have been able to tell you that. God bless your sense of humor and most of all your family. May you always be able to see the humor, love the sarcasm and smile through the tears.Sonya in Ohio

I think it's wonderful that someone is being recognized for her amazing writing. The "blog popularity" craziness is sometimes misplaced and "great writing" gets forgotten. But you? Deserve every stinkin' awesome letter you get.

Dawn, dawn, dawn!!! I love you! (hehehee) Seriously, you're a hoot 'n a 1/2, woman! I got so involved, I plumb fergot where I even found out aboutcha, but...when my mind cleared, I realized it was from a Beading Forum~! Can ya beat that with a stick, eh? Pleeeez DO write, write and write some MO! for everyone's sake, m'lady.

I appreciate your story. I'm from a brood of 7; unfortunately, quite disfunctional (alky-hall ruled), so it was NEARLY as "fun" (boo hoo). I woulda LOVED to live in a family like yours, Dawn~~~ You're doing things JUST right, my friendly...

I just wanna know ~~~ Do you have any hobbies that you can fill your spare time with? I mean, come on! You SAHM's don't have HALF the responsibilities as those peeps who're out here in the REAL work-force, ya know? You should probably take some brain-enriching classes, or somethin', so your mind doesn't atrophy! (Oh, I have some ocean-front property in Idaho for sale...bids due @ 11:59 p.m. EST?).

Thanx for the breathe of fresh air...I "subscribed" to your blog, but, don't really know what that means??? (aarrgghhh!!!) Could you, possibly, s'plain it to the moi, Dawn?

Or...are you too IMPORTANT now, eh? Fame & Fortune is upon you? Mmmmm hummm!...ok, ok -- I understand -- I get it -- N.P. -- how soon we forget about the little peeps, eh? Well, #%@#$!%#&$!@! you, then~! Ah, but I digress...

Ah, heck, you're a glowing light in the dark, Dawn ~~~ totally, serious, now. I wish you all the blessings life has to bestow on you~~~

Getting letters like that has to be so encouraging and shows you are writing great stuff. My wife found this today and said you just have to hear it, she thinks you'll like it. Hope you don't mind but I did link to your site Dawn.. :)

You will be blessed beyond measure!Be Ready for the blessings that are going to be showered down on you! God is talking to you are you listening? :)

p.s. what a great blog. i have a 20 year old and a 2 year old, a glass of wine every night seems to do the trick for me. ok just kidding. i'm the perfect mom like the one who said their kid never acts up in the store! LOL

I would just like to say that you have definately caught everyone's attention...I'm sure you didn't mean for that to happen but you are sooo incredibly funny and honest, I'm sure that you have touched many people's hearts!

Love the auction and can't wait to read the blog! I only have two and they're little and they whine and cry most of the day. I hate grocery shopping with just them, so I can only imagine how much worse it is for you. Thanks for your writing... you definitely have a gift!

I admire mothers of many children. I have 3 myself, all under 6 and I'm about ready to lose it most days. I feel like no one is listening to me... I had a horrible mothering day yesterday and reading your Ebay auction and blog is just what I needed as well. IT's comforting to know that I am not in this alone. And thank goodness, my children must be normal!

SO funny! I SAW your shopping trip like i was there! One of my friends was going to the store one day and her son was in Pre-Meltdown mode, ahe says, "I need milk, but he will sceam, what do i do?" I laughed at her, Take the screaming kid in the store! You haven't lived until you "Do the supermarket" with REAL kids, who belong to you!! :) Thanks for sharing, I love your blog, I added you to my favorites. God bless!Keep writting :)

D, Loved your ebay ad and love your blog. I'm a grammie now, but I had 6 kids in 7 years and can relate to all you've written. And man! did I laugh!! I have similar stories about spatulas in toilets and peas stuffed up noses...and things and items fed to the dog and.... It was a lot of work, it was very intense, but I consider my 6 kids the finest accomplishments I've ever done!Keep going and keep laughing!

Right now I'm having an extremely crappy evening with these kids and feel like I can't stand another second in this house with them (especially my middle son with all the "issues" who's constantly upsetting everyone), and you and your writings have cheered me up a bit. God bless.

i promise to keep this short(please don't make fun of my lack of capitalization...i too am amom of 6 but am not looking for a job...)any hoo...i just want to say "here's to you!!! *lifting glass of wine high in the air* to another mom of 6 kids....life is good and crazy and we don't care....or do we?..i can't remember...my brain stopped working 3 or 4 kids ago.....

i LOVE LOVE LOVE your writing and you have me so inspired to share my wacky days too....today was the adventure of about 1200 sq feet of glitter all over the house...ha ha....not to mention the balloon pooping pug puppy.....

Please DO write a book- in your spare time!!!!!You deserve all of the compliments and blessings that have come your way recently!Thanks for the laughs-it's always nice to know we're not alone in this job of being "mom"!Megan

I was forwarded your ebay address from a mom in my moms group. I was having a really bad day as I am just so exausted being a SAHM, cook, housekeeper, wife, etc. When my husband called to tell me he was working late (yet once again for the four night this week) I supported him because he is working so hard for us. Yet when I laid the phone down I had to go into my bathroom to have a good old fashioned cry. I didn't want to rangle my children or know that I was going to be alone "again" to put them both to bed. Not to mention the guilt I had for feeling that way as I love being with my children so much. I almost deleted the forward as I don't open many of them. I opened this one and your ebay listing made me laugh and feel so much better. I am so glad you listed your blog address as your writing really sucked me in. Just wanted to send you a little note to tell you, thank you! Those Pokoman cards really were a blessing in disguise. Look how many people you have touched with those cards!! -Kriss www.onelovelybb.blogspot.com

THANK YOU for a good laugh! I have 5 kiddos and can relate in more ways than I can share. My kids are huge Pokemon fans, so I'm familiar with the cards. I LOL at the Energy cards bit - too much! I'm going to give it a try, though!God bless!

I am adding you to my blogroll! I saw your shopping adventure e-bay post linked on another site and had a good laugh that I needed today. I only have 2 kids {so far - hubby promised me 4} but I come from a large his(3)/hers(1)/theirs(5) family. I have 8 siblings ages 22, 20, 13, 7, 5, 3.5, 18 mos & 5 mos {I'm 25 and my kids are 3 and 10 mos} My stepmom gets the - they all yours? question ALL the time, it's even worse when my sister & I visit, then they are really confused and figure all the little ones are split between us but my sister just got married and has no children yet. With you getting as many hits as you are I would look into blogher & getting ads through them - I'm not sure how it works but I'm sure you can find more info on bloggingbasics101.com You could probably get paid by doing product reviews - with 6 kids I'm sure you could try out many products. Oh and I love the photo of your baby with the chocolate on his face - I'm sure one of your other kids had something to do with that!

Hi Dawn,You need to check out current ebay auction #260153017898. Someone from the UK has "borrowed" your item and description from your grocery trip auction. I'd report them if I were you. Surely it has to be a violation of a copyright law. Just FYI. Thanks for the laughs, Terri in NC

OMG. I just read your post on ebay about the Pokemon cards, and I thought it was hilarious. I can't imagine having six kids, though I was one of six growing up. I can see why my mom hated taking us to the store now. Keep up the laughs, and especially, your sense of humor.

You're a superstar! Loved your ebay description -- I experience the same thing but I only have 2 darling offspring to drive me crazy. Mothers everywhere need to stick together and judge each other much less. Also loved the pics of you as a child...I had the exact same outfits, every single one of them. My hair was about as big in high school too. Ahhhh, memories. Will you be my BFF? Cami: Wife, mother, friend to all

I know I'm only one of a bazillion people that have commented on your humor lately but I just wanted to let you know that as soon as I read your Pokeman E-bay listing I instantly thought about a baseball sold on E-bay a couple of years ago. I came here to check out your blog and lo and behold (does any one say that in real life?) it was you!

So glad you are getting such positive recognition. Looking forward to reading more!

As a Marine wife whose husband deployed (3rd time) 7 weeks after our first and only (so far) child was born to Iraq, not to return til she was 14 months, I thank you. I applaud you for making us all feel like we are in it together. Sometimes it is so very easy to lose yourself in the daily grind and I must say that this will be linked to my blog and I will never forget the way this has made me feel. You are truly an inspiration.Thanks for the fantastic reads.JC

I read a link to your post on a breast cancer support board; there are a lot of stay at home moms who visit the board regularly, and you've been making a lot of us laugh. Any time you can make a bald-headed, frightened, nauseaus, breastless woman laugh, you are doing a very good thing! (I've got my hair and boobs back, but there are many women behind me.) Your humor and wit is wonderful, and I'm jealous of your writing talent. If you're going to stay up until 3am each day, you MUST use some of that time to write.

Thank you for sharing your talent and wisdom. I'm impressed!

(And, just for the record, I have one child. Many days, I think I will go insane with "just" one. You have my respect for doing it with six - you might be six times the woman I am! :-) )

The morning I discovered your auction, I was sadly reading over the obituary of a local athlete (15) who had drowned. Your auction description made me laugh out loud and lifted my heart!

I am mother to 3: 14, 11, 7. The oldest just started highschool this week. Your auction and blog made me miss the times when they were really little and made me wonder where my sense humor went?!?You reminded me to cherish this time when they're under our wing and laugh at things more.God bless you! I hope this branches out into a successful literary career for you. I just keep thinking you are our generation's Erma Bombeck and I can't wait for your first book!

Last evening my brilliant 6 year old, going on 40, going on 2, was spared her mother's wrath when I thought of your EBAY post.

We were using a friend's pool and guest house bathroom for the day, while they are out of town when my daughter, soaking wet, decided to "try out" their nicely made guest bed with, of course, a beautiful white, hard to clean cover. I duly pulled her off and gave her "the lecture", pointing out the wet spots she had left.

Not 10 minutes later, after drying, dressing and running around outside, I heard her father commanding her to get off the same bed, this time dry but with dirty feet. Now we had water + dirt = Auggghhh! I again piloted her out of the room, asking her why she would do such a thing just after I told her not to. Her answer was "You said not to get on the bed because I was wet, I'm not wet anymore." I had been trying to think of a proper punishment, which was heading toward sending her to the moon, but when I heard her answer, I immediately had a vision of your son standing in the grocery store with fruit all around his feet and you're mental note that next time you'd be more specific when you give your store lecture.

I was reminded by your story that kids take everything literally and that my "brilliant", "in charge" kid is still a kid. So instead of my usual response to what I had thought was an obvious act of defiance, I saw the situation from my child's perspective. I made my own mental note to be more specific during the next lecture and she was allowed to remain on the planet, for time being.

She and I are both grateful to you for delivering good parenting wisdom, packaged in humor, which is so much nicer to receive and more effective than a lecture.

You are an illustration of the message of book I'm reading right now called "You Matter More Than You Think". Isn't it amazing when God turns our struggles into a blessing for others? Thank you for allowing God to use your gift to make a difference in the lives of others.

I also have six children. 5 boys and the caboose is my only daughter. I have authored many items of work but the ones people seem to focus on are the ones where I talk about surviving the kids. My oldest is 22 and my youngest is 11. I admire anyone who can have a sense of humor while removing a gelantinous goo from a sons pocket before you seen him to school. Unless a Mother has counted heads at a gas station they wouldn't understand. Peace form Angel's MomKarriemlr@yahoo.com